Board of Directors & Advisory Council

Message from the Chair

Greetings and a Message from the Chair of

the Board of Directors of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai

Dear Members of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, and our partners, friends and stakeholders,

Having founded CanCham Shanghai in 2008, I am deeply honoured by the confidence the membership and the Board of Directors has shown in me by asking me to once again take the helm of Canada’s preeminent, on the ground, business organization in the Chinese Mainland, during this moment of transition.

Throughout the history of the organization I have served as Chair of the Board of Directors on several occasions, pioneering a number of marquee events that are now considered staples of the Canadian Business community every year. I have also worked to create an Advisory Council, of which I have been a proud member and Chair on a number of occasions.

We have always positioned CanCham to serve as an essential bridge between Canada’s private sector and government. Our mission remains clear: to create platforms that promote Canadian business success in China, to strengthen the bilateral business corridor, and to ensure the Canadian spirit is visible and valued across Shanghai and throughout China.

As Chair, I assure every member that the Board and I are working in full alignment to keep the Chamber strong and steady throughout this transition. We are united in advancing a clear, forward-looking agenda to strengthen the organization, with many new initiatives and milestones to achieve. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated group of business leaders acting together to uphold and expand on CanCham Shanghai’s many advantages and achievements.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my colleague and friend, Ms. Jenny Fan, our outgoing Chair, for her steady leadership and for the solid position in which she has left us. The initiatives she launched and the standards she has set will help guide us through coming years.

I look forward to working with each of you—members, board members, advisory council members, Government and other partners, and the wider community—to build on our proud legacy and achieve even greater impact during my term of office. Please look forward to my contacting you to determine how we can better serve your needs.

Thank you for your ongoing trust and support.

Sincerely,

Mark Ceolin

Chair of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai

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Message From the Consul General of Canada in Shanghai,

and Honorary President of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai

Since my arrival in Shanghai last summer, I have had the pleasure of working with the Consulate team to connect with Canadian business leaders, local government officials, small and medium-sized business owners, and other stakeholders in Shanghai and East China. Each discussion has been instrumental in identifying and leveraging key opportunities for Canadian commercial success while protecting Canadian interests by addressing ongoing challenges.

The Government of Canada will always stand up for Canadian businesses and workers and our Trade Commissioners continue to collaborate with CanCham to explore opportunities and support Canadian businesses across various sectors, including agriculture and agri-food, arts and culture, automotive, clean technology, consumer products, financial services, infrastructure and construction, and life sciences.

These sectors highlight Canada’s reputation as a provider of high-quality, trusted products and services, resonating with the strong interest from Chinese consumers and commercial partners. It is essential for Canadian businesses to remain resilient, continuously monitor the market, plan strategically, and mitigate potential future challenges.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai plays a vital role in supporting the success of Canadian businesses in East China. CanCham’s initiatives and outreach efforts are crucial in informing and educating Canadian commercial interests, thereby enhancing the reputation and brand of Canadian firms in the market as committed, responsive, and innovative.

And beyond supporting Canadian businesses, fostering economic growth, and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs, the CanCham also plays a vital role in strengthening the Canadian community in Shanghai, through networking, events, and forums.

On behalf of the Canadian Consulate General in Shanghai, I thank the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai for its ongoing commitment to advance Canadian economic and commercial interests in East China and reaffirm the Consulate’s dedication to constructive engagement with partners across the region.

Jennie Chen

Consul General of Canada in Shanghai

Honorary President

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai

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Board of Directors

CanCham Shanghai is led by a Board of Directors composed of 11 elected directors and 1 ex-officio director. The directors are either Canadian MNCs’ representatives or Canadian entrepreneurs running their own business in China. They represent Canadian industrial diversity and strength on the business scene in China. Board members are responsible for forming and driving the policies as well as providing guidance on all the activities of the Chamber.